WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) recently joined Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee in writing to President Biden about the massing of Russian forces on the Ukranian border. In the letter, the lawmakers expressed concerns about the situation and called on the President to send Ukraine additional support, including enhanced intelligence and weapons.
“I am increasingly concerned that the Russian buildup along Ukraine’s northern border is more than just a show of strength,” said Rep. Gallagher. “The quality of units present, alarming statements from the Russian government, and the leverage that President Biden gifted to Russia by allowing completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline are all reason for concern. But despite these warning signs, the White House has displayed a stunning lack of public leadership. That’s why I joined my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee in calling on the President to take concrete action to stand with Ukraine and deter further Russian aggression.”
You can see the letter HERE or read the text below.
Dear President Biden,
With the recent massing of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border, we urge your administration to take immediate and swift action to provide support to Ukraine in the form of intelligence and weapons. We also urge your administration to deploy a U.S. military presence in the Black Sea to deter a Russian invasion.
According to open-source reporting, Russia is once again massing a sizeable military force of ground troops, armored vehicles, tanks, and artillery on Ukraine’s doorstep. Russia’s behavior is becoming more aggressive, and it has intensified rhetoric critical of Ukraine on topics ranging from Ukraine’s military modernization and military partnerships to Ukraine’s admission into NATO. Although Russia’s intentions are uncertain, the presence of Russia’s elite 1st Guard Tanks Army lends credibility to concerns that Russia is planning additional incursions into Ukraine territory.
Your administration cannot ignore Russia’s continued threat to international law and Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
In September, your administration committed $60 million in military aid to Ukraine due to a “major increase in Russian military activity along its border.” Since then, Russia’s apparent military activity has continued to increase in intensity. Therefore, it is imperative that the U.S. fulfill its commitment to a key partner by increasing lethal aid to Ukraine in order to deter and repel a renewed Russian incursion. Additionally, we urge you to immediately consider an appropriate U.S. military presence and posture in the region and to initiate appropriate intelligence-sharing activities between the U.S. and Ukraine to prevent the situation from escalating further.
Thank you for your attention to this matter of crucial importance.
Sincerely,
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI)
Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL)
Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO)
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA)
Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CA)
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
Rep. Austin Scott (R-TX)
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX)
Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL)
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY)
Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX)
Rep. Scott Desjarlais (R-TN)
